[One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, erupted on Monday, spewing bright orange lava 300 feet high, according to the USGS. The eruption began at around 2:20 a.m. and continued throughout the day, drawing packed crowds to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is open 24/7.
As of 5:30 a.m., 500 acres of lava had covered the caldera floor, a large basin that forms when a volcano erupts and collapses, according to the National Park Service. Photos and videos show lava fountains flowing and spreading throughout the caldera floor.
“This is a really big voluminous eruption,” said Ken Hon, head scientist at the USGS’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. “It was a fairly rapid onset for one of these eruptions. This is the fifth eruption that we’ve had in the summit area of Kilauea since December 2020.”
Volcanic activity began slowing down significantly between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. As of 5 p.m., experts reported that about one square mile around the volcano was covered, with lava about 1 yard thick, according to USGS.
Authorities assured the public that nearby communities were not in danger, as the eruption is contained within the national park. However, emission rates of volcanic gases were very high, spreading downwind from the crater and affecting air quality, according to USGS. The National Park Service advised those with respiratory and heart conditions to exercise caution.
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